Anybody using the Lollar CC neck?

[Old Cane]

I got this body that is HB routed and while I like the Van Zandt T there now I'm thinking about pulling it for another build and going with Charlie Christian neck pickup (and matching pickguard). I know it'll look cool but which bridge is the best match? I'm thinking the Special but maybe not. Maybe the Vintage? Any Lollar users with an opinion or past experience?

[OaklandA]

Not the Lollar, though I've heard nothing but good things about that pickup over at the Rice Custom forum...I am using the Vintage Vibe CCR in the neck on this:



And have it paired with the Vintage Vibe 5% overwound Vintage Tele Bridge pickup. It sounds great. The CCR is thick but articulate...tonally between a P-90 and a humbucker sort of. It matches well with the slightly overwound bridge.

And Pete Biltoft was a pleasure to deal with. Really great service.

[Robin Nahum]

Another VintageVibe CC plus matching bridge pup enthusiast here.



I think the real question is whether it is worth paying extra for the Lollar version.

I see that Redd is now using a CC in one of his custom builds. Maybe he has compared the two?

[Edward Gibbon]

I am building a partscaster right now with a Lollar CC in the neck, a Don Mare Supersports in the bridge. Light weight one-piece swamp ash, baseball bat neck, glendale hardware, only the good stuff. Although it is not finished yet, I assembled it a couple of days ago just to see how the thing sounds. Verdict: great. The CC is loud and about as dark as a broadcaster neck pickup, but it is very clear and smooth. There something that reminds me of a strat, because it can sound glassy and "tubular". I think you need to go with a bridge pickup that`s about 7,5K in output. In any case, the CC neck is just fantastic, although I couldn´t say if it is worth the extra dollar compared to the VintageVibe. Looks great too! Pics soon.

[woodman]

great-looking axe, Robin!

Edward, i can see the Supersport being a great match in the bridge ... i've been tempted to try one myself.

[jcayer]

Another Vintagevibe CC Rider here

Click the link in my signature for a complete installation report ... :)

[nic'o'caster]

How does the middle position sound ? I love the versatility of the 3 different sounds on the Tele, and I would be afraid to loose that with the CC.

Do you guys play blues with the CC, or more on the clean and jazzy side ?

[Brad Miller]

I have a Lollar CC in my '52 RI. I love it. It is a very round sounding pickup and rather robust. It is great for comping and of course it does the blues very well. If I am playing with a trio I will stay on the CC about 80% of the time. If I am playing with a bigger band I don't use it so much. To me, It just sounds better when playing with a small group (bass and drums). It just seems to shine in that setting. But I think that's just because of the way I play (or the lack thereof). Quite simply, I am keeping mine!

[Old Cane]

Well, that's a new one (vintage vibe). I'm kind of just getting back into this after a 15 year absence so I'm just learning all of the players in the marketplace. I had considered the Mare but I really want a pair of his with the S-telly neck. I'm going to redo this one with the Lollars and a Callaham bridge. I have a Callaham paired with Budz on an American and really like it. This one has a Glendale I'm going to replace and use on another build and use the Mares on. The next build will be with a Barden most likely and Stuarts. Then lastly, a build with the Van Zandt neck now in this paired with a VZ bridge I just ordered. So when i get done I should have something like:

-60th Anniversary American Sunburst with Budz/Callaham

-LPB crappy relic with CC and X version Lollars/Callaham

-Blonde BG w/Stuarts/Barden

-Coral w/ Mares/Glendale

-Bound Fiesta Red with VZs and Barden (probably)

[Old Cane]

Originally Posted by Brad Miller

I have a Lollar CC in my '52 RI. I love it. It is a very round sounding pickup and rather robust. It is great for comping and of course it does the blues very well. If I am playing with a trio I will stay on the CC about 80% of the time. If I am playing with a bigger band I don't use it so much. To me, It just sounds better when playing with a small group (bass and drums). It just seems to shine in that setting. But I think that's just because of the way I play (or the lack thereof). Quite simply, I am keeping mine!

Are you using a Lollar for the bridge? I'm wondering which one mates up the best.

[Brad Miller]

I am using the Lollar vintage in the bridge. It is also a great pickup.

[Old Cane]

Originally Posted by Edward Gibbon

I am building a partscaster right now with a Lollar CC in the neck, a Don Mare Supersports in the bridge. Light weight one-piece swamp ash, baseball bat neck, glendale hardware, only the good stuff. Although it is not finished yet, I assembled it a couple of days ago just to see how the thing sounds. Verdict: great. The CC is loud and about as dark as a broadcaster neck pickup, but it is very clear and smooth. There something that reminds me of a strat, because it can sound glassy and "tubular". I think you need to go with a bridge pickup that`s about 7,5K in output. In any case, the CC neck is just fantastic, although I couldn´t say if it is worth the extra dollar compared to the VintageVibe. Looks great too! Pics soon.

Well, I wasn't looking for dark so this may or may not work.

[4mal]

You might want to call Pete at Vintage Vibe and chat. I've bought a couple of pickups from him. 1 stock Tele bridge - which I like a lot and a split P for one of my basses. That P Bass pickup was custom to my taste. I told him warm, articulate and punch. That's what he built. Alnico III magnets and a slight over wind and - HoLy CoW! (it's tough to express a good Harry Cary level of excitement when you're typing) Pete is good, really darned good.

You can find him at 541.436.2836 or www.vintagevibeguitars.com or email at vintagevibeguitars@gorge.net (I still have his card on my desk... maybe this weekend I'll do some filing! Yippee!)

[Old Cane]

Thanks, guys, but I'm specifically asking about the Lollars.

[Robin Nahum]

Originally Posted by nic'o'caster

How does the middle position sound ? I love the versatility of the 3 different sounds on the Tele, and I would be afraid to loose that with the CC.

Do you guys play blues with the CC, or more on the clean and jazzy side ?

I am playing jazz with mine and, to me, the CC sounds just fine with the bridge pickup. I also have a fourth switch position that gives me n + 1/2b - for a bit more clarity in solos.

Redd's CC sounds great when he is playing kern-tree too. I won't state the obvious.

[Tele295]

I have a Lollar CC in a Tele with a Fender Tex-Mex in the bridge. They match up very well together. It's the red one on the right. Notice how the Lollar is narrower than other CC pups?

[Robin Nahum]

Originally Posted by Old Cane

Thanks, guys, but I'm specifically asking about the Lollars.

Then I would suggest talking to Jason and see what he suggests for a bridge pickup.

I find that things work out a lot better for me if I buy pups in pairs.

[Old Cane]

Originally Posted by Robin Nahum

Then I would suggest talking to Jason and see what he suggests for a bridge pickup.

I find that things work out a lot better for me if I buy pups in pairs.

I thought I was asking about buying a pair.

Ok, then I won't need to post on this forum anymore. I'll just ask manufacturers from now on. I was wanting some other opinions. I mean, calling the guy that builds them? That may be the easy way but it's not The Cowboy Way.

[Robin Nahum]

My mistake. I didn't understand that "Vintage" and "Special" are model names for Lollar pickups and that you were asking about buying a pair. They are rather generic names.

But I don't think I said you shouldn't ask here. I simply suggested that you speak to the maker as a way of getting more information. It doesn't occur to some people that this is an option and I was just trying to be helpful. Please feel completely free to disregard my suggestion. I won't be offended.

[nic'o'caster]

Originally Posted by Brad Miller

I have a Lollar CC in my '52 RI. I love it. It is a very round sounding pickup and rather robust. It is great for comping and of course it does the blues very well. If I am playing with a trio I will stay on the CC about 80% of the time. If I am playing with a bigger band I don't use it so much. To me, It just sounds better when playing with a small group (bass and drums). It just seems to shine in that setting. But I think that's just because of the way I play (or the lack thereof). Quite simply, I am keeping mine!

This makes total sense to me. I use my DeArmond 2000 SC equipped Gretsch with great results in a trio or duo situation. I tried to play it in a 7 piece band, and it was bad, too middy, lost in the mix !

Tele295, I've never seen so many CC pups in one photo !
As a CC connoisseur, which one would you advertise for the best clean tone, complex warm and punchy ?

[RomanS]

Tele295 - how do the Lollar and VVG versions compare?

[Tele295]

I've had a shootout with the Lollar (in the red MIM Nashville in the pic), the Vintage Vibe (in the sunburst MIJ 62RI), an original Charlie mounted in an L7C, and two that Danny Gatton made. All were "in the ballpark," and I'd happily gig with any of them.

The Lollar was more detailed than the original CC, and had a wider frequency response. Nic'o'caster, this is what I would recommend for you.

The VV was the loudest of the bunch, but it also required the most routing. Big and fat, much more output on tap than the original CC.

The closest to the original was one Danny had made, placed right under the (imaginary) 24th fret harmonic node. It has really cruddy magnets, too!